Urbandale Coaches
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Coach Nick Wilson
- Urbandale Facility Director

Nick Wilson, a recent graduate of Simpson College, was a year letter-winner in track and football. Nick was named to the All-District team as a senior in football and holds school records for most receiving yards in a season (683), receiving touchdowns (7), and yards per catch (22.5). As a track athlete Nick was a 5x state qualifier. Nick was a Drake Relays qualifier in 2006 in the 110 high hurdles, the first Saydel athlete to do so in almost 15 years. Nick is also the school record holder in the 4×400 meter relay. At Simpson College, Nick was a two year letter-winner in track and was also a conference place winner in the 110 high hurdles in 2010.

In addition to his role as CrossFit Des Moines Facility Director, Nick has been the Acceleration Iowa Urbandale Facility Director since 2010.

Coach – Kelli Barkela (Head Coach and Programmer)

- CrossFit Level 1 Certified
- CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certified
- CrossFit Endurance Certified

Before CrossFit, Kelli didn’t even know what a ‘clean’ or ‘deadlift’ was, but it only took one WOD to get Kelli hooked. Her passion for fitness has gone to a higher level than ever before. After working out at CrossFit Iowa for 1 ½ years, Kelli got her Level One and Olympic Lifting Certifications. Olympic lifts have become one of Kelli’s loves and passions. Always working on form, trying to pull more weight, Kelli continually strives to become better.

In September 2010 Kelli joined CrossFit Des Moines as a trainer/coach. Kelli soon became Crossfit Endurance certified. She enjoys coaching and training with her new friends at CrossFit Des Moines.

Outside of the gym, Kelli is a second grade teacher, Kelli’s true passion is teaching. Kelli also likes to stay active by going for runs, playing tennis, going rollerblading and going for walks with her friends.

Coach – Rian Moe
– CrossFit Level 1 Certified
- CrossFit Olympic Lift Certified
- CrossFit Mobility Certified

“I thought I’d give CrossFit a try back in December of 2008 while on Christmas break from Iowa State. I  thought I’d try out “Angie”: 100 pull ups, push ups, sit ups, and squats for time. Needless to say, I thought I was “in shape”, but was so wrong.”

Rian then started training at CrossFit Ames (currently West Ames) after returning to Iowa State. In August 2009, Rian completed his Level 1 certification. After completing an internship at Acceleration Iowa, Rian was hired as a full-time coach at CrossFit Des Moines. Rian graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Health and Human Performance.

Coach – Quentin Huisman
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified
- CrossFit Football Certified

Sport, exercise, and fitness are areas of high interest for Quentin. Doing your best and strong work ethic were fundamentals to his family, and he was able to channel these fundamentals into the sports arena. Quentin had the opportunity to play in two high school state football championships for Aplington-Parkersburg High School as well as the Division III football playoffs while attending Central College (Pella, IA). Quentin thoroughly enjoyed off season training where he found setting and achieving new goals was challenging yet rewarding.

Since college, Quentin has continued to stay active through participation in recreational sports leagues, completing the Dam to Dam 20k, and coaching high school athletes. He has been a CrossFit Des Moines member since Coach Mike opened in January 2010. As a CrossFit Coach, Quentin enjoys helping people improve their physical fitness and witnessing their progress and success with their fitness goals.

Coach – Cheryl Rowen
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified
– Click for Cheryl’s Blog

Ever pick up a 50# bag of dog food from the bottom of a shopping cart and put it into the trunk of your car?
That’s a dead lift. Have you taken something from your garage lately and pushed it up to the top storage shelf using your legs and arms?
You’ve just done a push press. As a busy mom of four kids, Cheryl had been looking for a fitness program that would fit her lifestyle.

At the invitation of a good friend, Cheryl tried CrossFit Des Moines. After a couple weeks, she was setting goals with Coach Mike and recalls saying, “But I’m not training for any sport, Mike.” Mike’s answer was simple, yet profound:
“Cheryl, your sport is life”. Boy, was he was right.

After one month, the results were noticeable. After two months, she was addicted, falling in love with Olympic lifts, and seeing first hand that a healthy lifestyle was possible through constant variety, high intensity and workouts that were designed around the body’s natural way to move. Now, after one year and two pairs of “skinny jeans” later, Cheryl is convinced that CrossFit is the ONLY program that offers total fitness and scalability for any lifestyle.

Life……what better sport to train for?

Coach – Rita Doeden
- CrossFit Level 1 Certified

I was born and raised in Williston, ND. Throughout Jr. High and High School I swam competitively. After High School, I completed a year of college but then went on to enlist in the US Navy. I spent the next five years of my life in San Diego learning the ropes of military medicine as a Navy Corpsman. It was here that I learned I had a strong drive to help people. From there, I moved to Minnesota to start my degree. Through an unforeseen turn of events I landed in Des Moines in the fall of 2010 after being accepted into the nursing program at Grand View University. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s in Nursing.

My very first exposure to Cross Fit was witnessing a fellow Corpsman grunting his way through a very intense looking workout involving gymnastics rings and something called burpees. After this, I heard several friends testify to the benefits of Cross Fit. It wasn’t until I moved to Des Moines that my curiosity got the better of me. I had fallen into a mundane fitness rut. I would drag myself to the gym, do cardio, go lift, in between sets I’d go get a drink of water…look around, do another set…yawn. Sound Familiar? I sought out Cross Fit Des Moines, set up my elements class, and after that first 8 minute WOD never looked back. I quickly realized that my definition of fitness was sorely under-rated.

My favorite thing about Cross Fit is that the workouts are never boring, they always give me something to strive for, and are constantly humbling. It has created a drive in me I’ve never experienced before. I also love the complexity of the movements, one can never mindlessly trudge through a workout. It takes awareness. It can be just as mentally challenging as it is physically. It forces you to believe in yourself, and it doesn’t hurt that you have a constant support group cheering you on, and a true sense of camaraderie. Cross Fit Des Moines has truly taken my fitness to a new level, and will do the same for you.

I soon realized that my passion for helping people not only had a place in nursing, but also in the fitness arena. I truly believe in staying in shape to be able to wholly participate in your life, ward off illness, and prevent injuries. Life IS a sport, why not participate instead of being a spectator? Everyone has different goals, no matter what they may be, Cross Fit Des Moines will surely get you there.